ES2936235T3 - refrigeration cycle device - Google Patents

Abstract

A refrigeration cycle device (100) comprises a refrigerant circuit including a compressor (1), a four-way valve (2), a second flow path switching part (10), a first heat exchanger outdoor (3), a second outdoor heat exchanger (4), a first indoor heat exchanger (6a) and a second flow path switching part (10). The refrigerant circulates through the refrigerant circuit. The second flow path switching part (10) has a first port (P1), a second port (P2), a third port (P3), a fourth port (P4), a fifth port (P5) and a sixth port. port. port (P6) through which the refrigerant enters and leaves. The second flow path switching part (10) switches between: a third state in which the first port (P1), the second port (P2), the first outdoor heat exchanger (3), the fourth port ( P4), the third port (P3), the second outdoor heat exchanger (4), the fifth port (P5), and the sixth port (P6) are connected in series in the set order; and a fourth state in which the sixth port (P6), the fourth port (P4), the first outdoor heat exchanger (3), the second port (P2) and the first port (P1) are connected in series in the indicated way. wherein the sixth port (P6), the fifth port (P5), the second outdoor heat exchanger (4), the third port (P3) and the first port (P1) are connected in series in the order shown. (Automatic translation with Google Translate, without legal value)

Description

DESCRIPTION

refrigeration cycle device

technical field

The present invention relates to a refrigeration cycle apparatus.

Background of the invention

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2015-117936, corresponding to EP-A-2 455 689, discloses an air conditioner including an outdoor heat exchanger that is divided into a plurality of air paths. unit flow paths, wherein at least two of the plurality of unit flow paths are connected to each other in series during the cooling operation and are connected to each other in parallel during the heating operation. The above-mentioned air conditioner has improved heat exchange efficiency by proper selection and use of the number and length of unit flow paths in cooling operation and heating operation. WO 2018/051408 A1 discloses an air conditioner which can perform heating operation and cooling operation with enhanced heat exchange performance and can also perform continuous heating operation while avoiding increases in the manufacturing cost and packaging volume. WO 2018/055741 A1 discloses a refrigeration cycle apparatus with improved heat transfer capability configured to evenly distribute refrigerant regardless of cooling/heating. WO 2018/047330 A1 discloses an air conditioner that obtains improved energy saving performance by avoiding decreases in the efficiency of the refrigeration cycle.

Reference list

patent documents

PTL 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2015-117936

PTL 2: document WO 2018/051408 A1

PTL 3: document WO 2018/055741 A1

PTL 4: document WO 2018/047330 A1

Summary of the invention

technical problem

However, the aforementioned air conditioner requires a plurality of pipes for connecting a check valve and a solenoid valve to each of the plurality of unitary flow paths. The routing of this plurality of pipes is also complicated in the above-mentioned air conditioner. Therefore, the above-mentioned air conditioner requires a large space for installing the plurality of pipes, which makes it difficult to reduce the size. The aforementioned air conditioner also requires a large number of processing steps for connecting each of the plurality of pipes, thus increasing the manufacturing cost.

In addition, if the above-mentioned air conditioner has variable specifications of the outdoor heat exchanger such as the number of the plurality of unit flow paths depending on the power of the air conditioner, whether or not the air conditioner offers high efficiency, and the like, it is required to redesign the pipes and their route.

A main object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerating cycle apparatus having a simplified piping route in comparison with the aforementioned air conditioner, and which eliminates the need to redesign the piping route for each specification of a outdoor heat exchanger.

Solution to the problem

A refrigeration cycle apparatus according to the present invention includes a refrigerant circuit through which refrigerant circulates. The refrigerant circuit includes a compressor, a first flow path switching unit, a second flow path switching unit, a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger and a third heat exchanger. The first heat exchanger has a first in/out flow portion and a second in/out flow portion to/from which the refrigerant flows in/out. The second heat exchanger has a third in/out flow portion and a fourth in/out flow portion to/from which refrigerant flows in/out. The first flow path switching unit is configured to switch between a first state and a second state. In the first state, at least one of the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger is configured to serve as a condenser while the third heat exchanger is configured to serve as an evaporator. In the second state, at least one of the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger is configured to serve as an evaporator while the third heat exchanger is configured to serve as a condenser. The second flow path switching unit has a first port, a second port, a third port, a fourth port, a fifth port and a sixth port through which the refrigerant flows in/out. The first port is connected to a discharge port of the compressor by means of the first flow path switching unit in the first state, and is connected to a suction port of the compressor by means of the first flow path switching unit. flow in the second state. The second port is connected to the first inflow/outflow portion. The third port is connected to the third inflow/outflow portion. The fourth port is connected to the second inflow/outflow portion. The fifth port is connected to the fourth in/out flow portion. The sixth hole is connected to the third heat exchanger. The second flow path switching unit is configured to switch between a third state and a fourth state. In the third state, the first port, the second port, the first heat exchanger, the fourth port, the third port, the second heat exchanger, the fifth port and the sixth port are successively connected in series. In the fourth state, the sixth hole, the fourth hole, the first heat exchanger, the second hole and the first hole are successively connected in series, and the sixth hole, the fifth hole, the second heat exchanger, the third hole and the first hole are successively connected in series.

Advantageous effects of the invention

In the refrigerating cycle apparatus according to the present invention, switching between the third state in which a first outdoor heat exchanger and a second outdoor heat exchanger are connected in series and the fourth state in which they are connected in parallel is implemented in the second flow path switching unit. According to the present invention, therefore, a refrigerating cycle apparatus can be provided which has a simplified piping path outside the second flow path switching unit as compared with the above-mentioned air conditioner, and which eliminates the need for to redesign the piping route for each specification of outdoor heat exchangers.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 illustrates a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a first embodiment.

Fig. 2 shows a diagram (A) illustrating a flow path of refrigerant in a second flow path switching unit shown in Fig. 1 when the second flow path switching unit is in a third state, a diagram (B) illustrating a refrigerant flow path in the second flow path switching unit shown in Fig. 1 when the second flow path switching unit is in a fourth state, a diagram (C) illustrating a refrigerant flow path in the second flow path switching unit shown in Fig. 1 when the second flow path switching unit is in a fifth state and a diagram (D) illustrating a refrigerant flow path in the second flow path switching unit shown in Figure 1 when the second flow path switching unit is in a sixth state.

Fig. 3 illustrates a refrigerant flow path in an outdoor unit when the second flow path switching unit shown in Fig. 1 is in the third state.

Fig. 4 illustrates a refrigerant flow path in the outdoor unit when the second flow path switching unit shown in Fig. 1 is in the fourth state.

Fig. 5 illustrates a refrigerant flow path in the outdoor unit when the second flow path switching unit shown in Fig. 1 is in the fifth state.

Fig. 6 illustrates a refrigerant flow path in the outdoor unit when the second flow path switching unit shown in Fig. 1 is in the sixth state.

Fig. 7 illustrates a refrigeration cycle apparatus according to a second embodiment.

Fig. 8 shows a diagram (A) illustrating a refrigerant flow path in a second flow path switching unit shown in Fig. 7 when the second refrigerant switching unit flow path is in a third state, a diagram (B) illustrating a flow path of refrigerant in the second flow path switching unit shown in Fig. 7 when the second flow path switching unit is in a third state. fourth state, a diagram (C) illustrating a refrigerant flow path in the second flow path switching unit shown in Fig. 7 when the second flow path switching unit is in a fifth state, a diagram ( D) illustrating a refrigerant flow path in the second flow path switching unit shown in Fig. 7 when the second flow path switching unit is in a sixth state and a diagram (E) illustrating a path of refrigerant flow in the second flow path switching unit shown in Fig. 7 when the second flow path switching unit is in a seventh state.

Fig. 9 illustrates a refrigerant flow path in an outdoor unit when the second flow path switching unit shown in Fig. 7 is in the third state.

Fig. 10 illustrates a refrigerant flow path in the outdoor unit when the second flow path switching unit shown in Fig. 7 is in the fourth state.

Fig. 11 illustrates a refrigerant flow path in the outdoor unit when the second flow path switching unit shown in Fig. 7 is in the fifth state.

Fig. 12 illustrates a refrigerant flow path in the outdoor unit when the second flow path switching unit shown in Fig. 7 is in the sixth state.

Fig. 13 illustrates a refrigerant flow path in the outdoor unit when the second flow path switching unit shown in Fig. 7 is in the seventh state.

Description of embodiments

Embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinafter in detail with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding parts in the drawings are designated with the same characters and a description thereof will not be repeated in principle.

first realization

As shown in Fig. 1, a refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 according to a first embodiment includes a compressor 1, a four-way valve 2 as a first flow path switching unit, a first outdoor heat exchanger 3 as a first heat exchange unit, a second outdoor heat exchanger 4 as a second heat exchange unit, a first indoor heat exchanger 6a and a second indoor heat exchanger 6b as a third heat exchange unit, a first decompression unit 7a , a second decompression unit 7b, a third decompression unit 8a, a fourth decompression unit 8b, open-close valves 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d and a second flow path switching unit 10, to form a circuit of refrigerant through which refrigerant circulates.

From a different point of view, the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 includes an outdoor unit 30, a first indoor unit 40a, a second indoor unit 40b and a relay unit 50. In the outdoor unit 30, the first circuits of the refrigerant circuit including compressor 1, four-way valve 2, first outdoor heat exchanger 3, second outdoor heat exchanger 4 and second flow path switching unit 10, and an outdoor fan 35. In the first indoor unit 40a, the second circuits of the refrigerant circuit including the first indoor heat exchanger 6a and the first decompression unit 7a, and an indoor fan (not shown) are arranged. In the second indoor unit 40b, the third circuits of the refrigerant circuit including the second indoor heat exchanger 6b and the second decompression unit 7b, and an indoor fan (not shown) are arranged. In the relay unit 50, the fourth circuits of the refrigerant circuit including the third decompression unit 8a, the fourth decompression unit 8b and the plurality of on-off valves 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d are arranged.

The first refrigerant circuit circuits arranged in the outdoor unit 30 and the fourth refrigerant circuit circuits arranged in the relay unit 50 are connected to each other by means of a first pipe C1 and a second pipe C2. The fourth refrigerant circuit circuits arranged in the relay unit 50 and the second refrigerant circuit circuits arranged in the first indoor unit 40a are connected to each other by means of the two pipes. The fourth refrigerant circuit circuits arranged in the relay unit 50 and the third refrigerant circuit circuits arranged in the second indoor unit 40b are connected to each other by means of the two pipes. The second circuits and the third circuits of the refrigerant circuit are connected in parallel with the fourth circuits.

Compressor 1 has a discharge port through which the refrigerant is discharged, and a suction port through which the refrigerant is drawn.

The four-way valve 2 has a first port connected to the discharge port of the compressor 1 by means of a discharge pipe, a second port connected to the suction port of the compressor 1 by means of a suction pipe, a third port connected to the first pipe C1 and a fourth opening connected to the second pipe C2 by means of the second flow path switching unit 10. The fourth opening in the four-way valve 2 is connected to a first port P1 of the second flow path switching unit. flow path switching 10. The four-way valve 2 switches between a first state in which each of the first outdoor heat exchanger 3 and the second outdoor heat exchanger 4 serves as a condenser while the third heat exchange unit serves as an evaporator, and a second state in which each of the first outdoor heat exchanger 3 and the second outdoor heat exchanger 4 serves as an evaporator while the third heat exchange unit serves as a condenser. The solid line arrows shown in Fig. 1 indicate a flow direction of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit when the refrigerating cycle apparatus 100 is in the first state. The dashed line arrows shown in Fig. 1 indicate a flow direction of the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit when the refrigerating cycle apparatus 100 is in the second state.

The first outdoor heat exchanger 3 includes a first distribution unit 3a as the first in/out flow portion and a second distribution unit 3b as the second in/out flow portion to/from which refrigerant flows in/out. outside, and a first heat exchange unit 3c arranged between the first distribution unit 3a and the second distribution unit 3b. The first heat exchange unit 3c has a plurality of heat transfer tubes and a plurality of fins, for example. The first distribution unit 3a is connected to one end of each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes. The second distribution unit 3b is connected to the other end of each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes.

The second outdoor heat exchanger 4 includes a third distribution unit 4a as the third in/out flow portion and a fourth distribution unit 4b as the fourth in/out flow portion to/from which refrigerant flows in/out. outside, and a second heat exchange unit 4c arranged between the third distribution unit 4a and the fourth distribution unit 4b. The second heat exchange unit 4c has a plurality of heat transfer tubes and a plurality of fins, for example. The third distribution unit 4a is connected to one end of each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes. The fourth distribution unit 4b is connected to the other end of each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes.

The first outdoor heat exchanger 3 may have a capacity equal to or different from that of the second outdoor heat exchanger 4. The first outdoor heat exchanger 3 may have a higher or lower capacity than that of the second outdoor heat exchanger 4.

In the first state and the second state, the first distribution unit 3a is arranged on a gas refrigerant side of the first outdoor heat exchanger 3, and the second distribution unit 3b is arranged on a liquid refrigerant side of the first outdoor heat exchanger 3. outdoor heat 3. In the first state and the second state, the third distribution unit 4a is arranged on a gas refrigerant side of the second outdoor heat exchanger 4, and the fourth distribution unit 4b is arranged on a liquid refrigerant side of the second outdoor heat exchanger 4. The liquid refrigerant side of a heat exchanger means a side from which liquid refrigerant flows when the heat exchanger serves as a condenser, and to which liquid refrigerant flows when the heat exchanger serves as a evaporator. The liquid refrigerant means liquid single-phase refrigerant or gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant, which includes a high amount of refrigerant in liquid phase. The gaseous refrigerant side of a heat exchanger, on the other hand, means a side to which gaseous refrigerant flows when the heat exchanger serves as a condenser, and from which gaseous refrigerant flows when the heat exchanger serves as an evaporator. Gaseous refrigerant means gaseous single-phase refrigerant.

The second flow path switching unit 10 has a first port P1, a second port P2, a third port P3, a fourth port P4, a fifth port P5 and a sixth port P6 through which the refrigerant flows in. /out. The second flow path switching unit 10 is configured as a single unit.

As described above, the first port P1 is connected to the fourth port in the four-way valve 2. Thus, the first port P1 is connected to the discharge port of the compressor 1 via the four-way valve 2 in the first state, and is connected to the suction port of the compressor 1 by means of the four-way valve 2 in the second state. The second hole P2 is connected to the first distribution unit 3a. The third port P3 is connected to the third distribution unit 4a. The fourth hole P4 is connected to the second distribution unit 3b. The fifth hole P5 is connected to the fourth distribution unit 4b. The sixth hole P6 is connected to the second pipe C2. The sixth port P6 is connected to the first indoor heat exchanger 6a and the second indoor heat exchanger 6b through the second pipe C2 and relay unit 50.

As shown in Figures 2 to 6, the second flow path switching unit 10 switches between a third state, a fifth state, a sixth state and a fourth state. In the third state shown in Figs. 2(A) and 3, the first port P1, the second port P2, the fourth port P4, the third port P3, the fifth port P5 and the sixth port P6 are successively connected in series. In the fourth state shown in Figs. 2(B) and 4, the fourth hole P4 and the fifth hole P5 are connected in parallel with the sixth hole P6, and the second hole P2 and the third hole P3 are connected in parallel with the first hole P1. In other words, in the fourth state, the sixth hole P6, the fourth hole P4, the first outdoor heat exchanger 3, the second hole P2 and the first hole P1 are successively connected in series, and the sixth hole P6, the fifth port P5, the second outdoor heat exchanger 4, the third port P3 and the first port P1 are successively connected in series. In the fifth state shown in Figs. 2(C) and 5, the first port P1, the second port P2, the fourth port P4 and the sixth port P6 are successively connected in series. In the sixth state shown in Figs. 2(D) and 6, the first port P1, the third port P3, the fifth port P5 and the sixth port P6 are successively connected in series.

From a different point of view, as shown in Fig. 2(A), the second flow path switching unit 10 has, in the third state, a first flow path connecting the first port P1 to the second port. P2, a second flow path connecting the fourth port P4 to the third port P3 and a third flow path connecting the fifth port P5 to the sixth port P6. As shown in Fig. 2(B), the second flow path switching unit 10 has, in the fourth state, the first flow path, a fifth flow path, the third flow path and a fourth flow path. flow. As shown in Fig. 2(C), the second flow path switching unit 10 has, in the fifth state, the first flow path and the fourth flow path connecting the fourth port P4 to the sixth port P6. . As shown in Fig. 2(D), the second flow path switching unit 10 has, in the sixth state, the fifth flow path connecting the first port P1 to the third port P3, and the third flow path connecting flow. The arrows shown in Figs. 2 (A) to (D) indicate the flow directions of the refrigerant in the respective states.

One of the third state, the fifth state and the sixth state is selected depending on the cooling load when the refrigerating cycle apparatus is in the first state. The fourth state is selected when the refrigeration cycle apparatus is in the second state.

The second flow path switching unit 10 may have any configuration as long as it is capable of switching between the third state, the fifth state, the sixth state and the fourth state. An example configuration of the second flow path switching unit 10 is described below.

As shown in Figs. 3 to 7, the second flow path switching unit 10 includes a first pipe path connecting the first port P1 to the sixth port P6, and a second pipe path, a third pipe path , a fourth pipe path and a fifth pipe path which are successively connected to the first pipe path in a direction in which the first pipe path extends from the first hole P1 to the sixth hole P6. The first pipe path extends linearly, for example.

The second pipe path connects the second hole P2 to the first pipe path. The third pipe path connects the third hole P3 to the first pipe path. The fourth pipe path connects the fourth hole P4 to the first pipe path. The fifth pipe path connects the fifth port P5 to the first pipe path. A connection portion between the first pipe path and the second pipe path is defined as a first connection portion, a connection portion between the first pipe path and the third pipe path is defined as a second connection portion, a connection portion between the first pipe path and the fourth pipe path is defined as a third connection portion, and a connection portion between the first pipe path and the fifth pipe path is defined as a fourth connection portion.

As shown in Figures 3 to 7, the second flow path switching unit 10 further includes, for example, a first open-close valve 11, a second open-close valve 12, a third open-close valve -closing 13, a fourth opening-closing valve 14, a fifth opening-closing valve 15, a sixth opening-closing valve 16 and a seventh opening-closing valve 17. The first opening-closing valve 11 opens and closes the second pipe path. The second on-off valve 12 opens and closes the third pipe path. The third on-off valve 13 opens and closes the fourth pipe path. The fourth on-off valve 14 opens and closes the fifth pipe path. The fifth on-off valve 15 opens and closes a portion located between the first connection portion and the second connection portion on the first pipe path. The sixth on-off valve 16 opens and closes a portion located between the second connection portion and the third connection portion on the first pipe path. The seventh on-off valve 17 opens and closes a portion located between the third connection portion and the fourth connection portion in the first pipe path.

As shown in Fig. 3, in the third state, the first open-close valve 11, the second open-close valve 12, the third open-close valve 13, the fourth open-close valve 14 and the sixth open-close valve 16 are open, while the fifth open-close valve 15 and the seventh open-close valve 17 are closed.

As shown in Fig. 4, in the fourth state, the first open-close valve 11, the second open-close valve 12, the third open-close valve 13, the fourth open-close valve 14, the fifth on-off valve 15 and the seventh on-off valve 17 are open, while the sixth on-off valve 16 is closed.

As shown in Fig. 5, in the fifth state, the first open-close valve 11, the third open-close valve 13 and the seventh open-close valve 17 are open, while the second open-close valve -close 12, the fourth open-close valve 14, the fifth open-close valve 15 and the sixth open-close valve 16 are closed.

As shown in Fig. 6, in the sixth state, the second open-close valve 12, the fourth open-close valve 14, the fifth open-close valve 15 and the seventh open-close valve 17 are open, while the first open-close valve 11, the third open-close valve 13 and the sixth open-close valve 16 are closed.

The second flow path switching unit 10 may be divided, for example, into a first block and a second block, and the sixth on-off valve 16 may be arranged between the first block and the second block. The first block has a portion of the first pipe path, the second pipe path, the third pipe path, the first on-off valve 11, the second on-off valve 12 and the fifth on-off valve 15. The second block has another portion of the first pipe path, the fourth pipe path, the fifth pipe path, the fourth on-off valve 14, the fifth on-off valve 15 and the seventh on-off valve. 17. The first block is arranged, in the first state and the second state, on the gas refrigerant side with respect to the first outdoor heat exchanger 3 and the second outdoor heat exchanger 4. The second block is arranged, in the first state and the second state, on the liquid refrigerant side with respect to the first outdoor heat exchanger 3 and the second outdoor heat exchanger 4.

Each of the first on-off valve 11, the second on-off valve 12 and the fifth on-off valve 15 included in the first block has a higher Cv value than each of the third on-off valve 15. opening-closing 13, the fourth opening-closing valve 14 and the seventh opening-closing valve 17 included in the second block, for example.

Each of the portion of the first pipe path, the second pipe path and the third pipe path included in the first block has a larger internal diameter than each of the other portion of the first pipe path, the fourth pipe path and fifth pipe path included in the second block, for example.

The second hole P2, the third hole P3, the fourth hole P4 and the fifth hole P5 are arranged in the same plane, for example. A plane in which the first hole P1 is arranged is arranged, for example, opposite a plane in which the sixth hole P6 is arranged. The first hole P1, the second hole P2, the third hole P3, the fourth hole P4, the fifth hole P5 and the sixth hole P6 may be arranged in the same plane.

As shown in Figures 1, and 3 to 4, in addition to the compressor 1, the four-way valve 2, the first outdoor heat exchanger 3, the second outdoor heat exchanger 4, and the second flow path switching unit. flow 10, for example, the first circuits of the refrigerant circuit have only the discharge pipe, the suction pipe, a connecting pipe connecting the third opening in the four-way valve 2 to the first pipe C1, a flow pipe connection connecting the fourth opening in the four-way valve 2 to the first port P1, a connection pipe connecting the second port P2 to the first distribution unit 3a, a connection pipe connecting the third port P3 to the third unit connection pipe 4a, a connection pipe connecting the fourth hole P4 to the second distribution unit 3b, a connection pipe connecting the fifth hole P5 to the fourth distribution unit 4b and a connection pipe connecting the sixth hole P6 to the second pipe.

The first indoor unit 40a, the second indoor unit 40b and the relay unit 50 may have any configuration, but they are provided to perform, for example, cooling-only operation, cooling-predominant operation, heating-only operation. and an operation with predominance of heating. The first indoor unit 40a, the second indoor unit 40b and the relay unit 50 have the configurations shown in Fig. 1, for example.

The operation of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 is now described.

cooling operation

When the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 is in the cooling operation, the third state, the fifth state or the sixth state is implemented depending on the cooling load. The third state is selected when the cooling load is relatively high. The third state is implemented during cool-only operation, for example. The fifth state and the sixth state are implemented during cooling-dominated operation, for example.

As shown in Fig. 3, in the third state, the first outdoor heat exchanger 3 and the second outdoor heat exchanger 4 are connected in series in the first circuits. Specifically, the gaseous single-phase refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 flows through the first port P1 into the first pipe path of the second flow path switching unit 10.

In the third state, with the first on-off valve 11 open and the fifth on-off valve 15 closed, all the gaseous single-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the first pipe path passes through the second pipe path. pipeline and flows into the first distribution unit 3a, and exchanges heat with the outdoor air and is condensed in the first outdoor heat exchanger 3. The liquid single-phase refrigerant or gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant condensed in the first outdoor heat exchanger 3 passes through the second distribution unit 3b, and flows through the fourth hole P4 into the fourth pipe path. With the third open-close valve 13, the sixth open-close valve 16 and the second open-close valve 12 open and the fifth open-close valve 15 and the seventh open-close valve 17 closed, all the liquid single-phase refrigerant or gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant passes through the fourth pipe path, the first pipe path and the third pipe path and flows into the third distribution unit 4a, and exchanges heat with the outside air and is condensed in the second outdoor heat exchanger 4. The liquid single-phase refrigerant condensed in the second outdoor heat exchanger 4 passes through the fourth distribution unit 4b, and flows through the sixth port P6 into the fifth flow path. pipeline. With the fourth on-off valve 14 open and the seventh on-off valve 17 closed, all of the liquid single-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the fifth pipe path passes through the fifth pipe path and the first pipe path. of pipe and flows out through the second hole P2. The liquid single-phase refrigerant which has flowed out through the second port P2 flows into the relay unit 50 via the second pipe.

In the second circuits, the third circuits and the fourth circuits of the refrigerant circuit, the refrigerant is distributed appropriately by the relay unit 50 depending on whether the operating state of the refrigerating cycle apparatus 100 is cooling-only operation or predominant operation. Cooling. During the cooling-only operation, for example, a part of the liquid single-phase refrigerant which has flowed into the relay unit 50 is supplied to the first indoor unit 40a, is decompressed in the first decompression unit 7a, then exchanges heat with the indoor air and is evaporated in the first indoor heat exchanger 6a, and converted into gaseous single-phase refrigerant. In addition, the remaining liquid single-phase refrigerant which has flowed into the relay unit 50 is supplied to the second indoor unit 40b, is decompressed in the second decompression unit 7b, then exchanges heat with indoor air and evaporates in the second indoor heat exchanger 6b, and becomes gaseous single-phase refrigerant. The gaseous single-phase refrigerants that have flowed out of the indoor units are collected in the relay unit 50, and the refrigerant that has been collected passes through the first pipe and is sucked through the suction port of the compressor 1. The Gaseous single-phase refrigerant is compressed by compressor 1, and then discharged through the discharge port again.

As shown in Fig. 5, in the fifth state, refrigerant is not supplied to the second outdoor heat exchanger 4, and the second outdoor heat exchanger 4 does not serve as a condenser. In the fifth state, only the first outdoor heat exchanger 3 serves as a condenser. Specifically, the gaseous single-phase refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 flows through the first port P1 into the first pipe path of the second flow path switching unit 10. With the first on-off valve 11 open and the fifth closed on-off valve 15, all the gaseous single-phase refrigerant which has flowed into the first pipe path passes through the second pipe path and flows into the first distribution unit 3a, and exchanges heat with the outside air and is condensed in the first outdoor heat exchanger 3. The liquid single-phase refrigerant or gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant condensed in the first outdoor heat exchanger 3 passes through the second distribution unit 3b, and flows through the room hole P4 into the fourth pipe path. With the third on-off valve 13 and the seventh on-off valve 17 open and the fourth on-off valve 14 and the sixth on-off valve 16 closed, all single-phase liquid refrigerant or two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant passes through the fourth pipe path and the first pipe path and flows out through the second port P2.

As shown in Fig. 6, in the sixth state, refrigerant is not supplied to the first outdoor heat exchanger 3, and the first outdoor heat exchanger 3 does not serve as a condenser. In the fifth state, only the second outdoor heat exchanger 4 serves as a condenser. Specifically, the gaseous single-phase refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 flows through the first port P1 into the first pipe path of the second flow path switching unit 10. With the second on-off valve 12 and the fifth valve With the opening-closing valve 15 open and the first opening-closing valve 11 and the sixth opening-closing valve 16 closed, all of the gaseous single-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the first pipe path passes through the third pipe path. pipeline and flows into the third distribution unit 4a, and exchanges heat with the outdoor air and is condensed in the second outdoor heat exchanger 4. The liquid single-phase refrigerant or gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant condensed in the second outdoor heat exchanger 4 passes through the fourth distribution unit 4b, and flows through the sixth port P6 into the fifth pipe path. With the fourth on-off valve 14 open and the seventh on-off valve 17 closed, all of the liquid single-phase refrigerant or gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant passes through the fifth pipe path and the first pipe path and flows into out through the second hole P2.

heating operation

When the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 is in the heating operation, the fourth state is implemented. As shown in Fig. 4, in the fourth state, the first outdoor heat exchanger 3 and the second outdoor heat exchanger 4 are connected in parallel in the first circuits. Specifically, the gaseous single-phase refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 is condensed in at least one of the first indoor heat exchanger 6a and the second indoor heat exchanger 6b shown in Fig. 1, and is converted into a liquid single-phase refrigerant. The liquid single-phase refrigerant is decompressed in the first decompression unit 7a or the second decompression unit 7b, and is converted into a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant. The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant passes through the second pipe C2 and flows through the sixth port P6 into the first pipe path of the second flow path switching unit 10.

In the fourth state, the third open-close valve 13, the fourth open-close valve 14 and the seventh open-close valve 17 are open, while the sixth open-close valve 16 is closed. Therefore, a part of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant which has flowed into the first pipe path passes through the third pipe path and flows into the second distribution unit 3b, exchanges heat with the outside air, and it is evaporated in the first outdoor heat exchanger 3, and converted into gaseous single-phase refrigerant. The remaining gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant which has flowed into the first pipe path passes through the fourth pipe path and flows into the fourth distribution unit 4b, exchanges heat with the outside air and evaporates in the second outdoor heat exchanger 4, and is converted to gaseous single-phase refrigerant.

The gaseous single-phase refrigerant evaporated in the first outdoor heat exchanger 3 passes through the first distribution unit 3a, and flows through the second port P2 into the second pipe path. The gaseous single-phase refrigerant evaporated in the second outdoor heat exchanger 4 passes through the third distribution unit 4a, and flows through the third port P3 into the third pipe path. With the first on-off valve 11, the second on-off valve 12, and the fifth on-off valve 15 open and the sixth on-off valve 16 closed, all of the gaseous single-phase refrigerant passes through the first pipe path and flows out through the first hole P1. The gaseous single-phase refrigerant which has flowed out through the first port P1 is sucked through the suction port of the compressor 1.

functions and effects

The refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 includes the compressor 1, the four-way valve 2, the second flow path switching unit 10, the first outdoor heat exchanger 3, the second outdoor heat exchanger 4, the first heat exchanger indoor heat 6a, the second indoor heat exchanger 6b and the second flow path switching unit 10, to form a refrigerant circuit through which refrigerant circulates. The first outdoor heat exchanger 3 has the first distribution unit 3a and the second distribution unit 3b to/from which refrigerant flows in/out. The second outdoor heat exchanger 4 has the third distribution unit 4a and the fourth distribution unit 4b to/from which the refrigerant flows in/out. The four-way valve 2 switches between the first state in which at least one of the first outdoor heat exchanger 3 and the second outdoor heat exchanger 4 serves as a condenser, and the second state in which at least one of the first outdoor heat exchanger 4 outdoor heat 3 and the second outdoor heat exchanger 4 serves as an evaporator. The second flow path switching unit 10 has the first port P1, the second port P2, the third port P3, the fourth port P4, the fifth port P5 and the sixth port P6 through which the refrigerant flows in. /out. The first port P1 is connected to the discharge port of the compressor 1 by means of the four-way valve 2 in the first state, and it is connected to the suction port of the compressor 1 by means of the four-way valve 2 in the second state. . The second hole P2 is connected to the first distribution unit 3a. The third port P3 is connected to the third distribution unit 4a. The fourth hole P4 is connected to the second distribution unit 3b. The fifth hole P5 is connected to the fourth distribution unit 4b. The sixth port P6 is connected to the third heat exchanger. The second flow path switching unit 10 switches between the third state in which the first port P1, the second port P2, the first heat exchanger, the fourth port P4, the third port P3, the second heat exchanger, the fifth hole P5 and the sixth hole P6 are successively connected in series, and the fourth state in which the sixth hole P6, the fourth hole P4, the first outdoor heat exchanger 3, the second hole P2 and the first hole P1 are successively connected in series, and the sixth port P6, the fifth port P5, the second outdoor heat exchanger 4, the third port p 3 and the first port P1 are successively connected in series.

According to the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100, the second flow path switching unit 10 switches between the third state in which the first outdoor heat exchanger 3 and the second outdoor heat exchanger 4 are connected in series, and the fourth state that the first outdoor heat exchanger 3 and the second outdoor heat exchanger 4 are connected in parallel. Therefore, the third state is implemented during the cooling operation and the fourth state is implemented during the heating operation by the second flow path switching unit 10, which enables the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 to have a coefficient of higher COP efficiency than that of a conventional refrigeration cycle apparatus which does not include the second flow path switching unit 10 and in which switching does not take place.

For example, in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 in which the third state is implemented during the cooling operation, the refrigerant flowing through a heat transfer pipe of the first outdoor heat exchanger 3 and the second outdoor heat exchanger 3 external heat 4 during cooling operation has an increased flow rate, and has an increased flow velocity, which leads to an increased heat transfer rate in the pipeline, compared to a refrigeration cycle apparatus in which it is maintained the fourth state during cooling and heating operations. As a result, the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 has a higher condensation heat transfer performance than that of the aforementioned refrigeration cycle apparatus, and the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 has a higher coefficient of performance COP than that of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100. refrigeration cycle mentioned above.

Further, for example, in the refrigerating cycle apparatus 100 in which the fourth state is implemented during the heating operation, a pressure loss of the refrigerant flowing through the heat transfer tubes of the first heat exchanger can be reduced. outdoor heat 3 and the second outdoor heat exchanger 4 during the heating operation, as compared with a refrigeration cycle apparatus in which the third state is maintained during the cooling and heating operations. As a result, the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 has a higher coefficient of performance COP than that of the aforementioned refrigeration cycle apparatus.

Furthermore, in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100, the second flow path switching unit 10 is configured as a single unit having the first port P1, the second port P2, the third port P3, the fourth port P4, the fifth hole P5 and sixth hole P6. Therefore, the switching between the third state, the fifth state, the sixth state and the fourth state is implemented by switching the flow paths in the second flow path switching unit 10. As a result, the pipes connecting the ports of the second flow path switching unit 10 to the components other than the second flow path switching unit 10 arranged in the outdoor unit 30 in a one-to-one relationship are the only pipes forming the first circuits in the outdoor unit 30 outside the second flow path switching unit 10. Consequently, the routing of the pipes forming the first circuits in the outdoor unit 30 outside the second flow path switching unit 10 is simplified in comparison with the course of pipes connecting a check valve and an on-off valve to a plurality of unitary flow paths in the above-mentioned conventional air conditioner.

Furthermore, the relative positions of the first hole P1, the second hole P2, the third hole P3, the fourth hole P4, the fifth hole P5 and the sixth hole P6 of the second flow path switching unit 10 need not be change upon connection to the first outdoor heat exchanger 3 and the second outdoor heat exchanger 4 which have different specifications. Therefore, the second flow path switching unit 10 can remain unchanged among a plurality of refrigeration cycle apparatuses 100 having different and similar powers. That is, in the refrigerating cycle apparatus 100, it is not necessary to change the route design of the refrigerant pipes depending on the power, the time the apparatus is put into use, whether or not the apparatus is a so-called apparatus. high performance, and the like. That is, in the refrigerating cycle apparatus 100, a standardized design of the first circuits of the refrigerant circuit in the outdoor unit 30 is possible.

In this way, in the refrigerating cycle apparatus 100, the path of the refrigerant pipes arranged in the outdoor unit 30 can be simplified to reduce the length of the refrigerant pipes, as compared with a refrigerant cycle apparatus in which the route of the refrigerant pipes that include a check valve and a solenoid valve need to be designed depending on the power and the like of the refrigerating cycle apparatus. As a result, the space for installing the refrigerant pipes in the outdoor unit 30 is reduced in comparison with the aforementioned refrigerating cycle apparatus, and the manufacturing cost of the refrigerating cycle apparatus 100 is reduced in comparison with the refrigeration apparatus 100. refrigeration cycle mentioned above.

In the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100, the second flow path switching unit 10 switches between the third state, the fourth state, the fifth state in which the first port P1, the second port P2, the first heat exchanger , the fourth hole P4 and the sixth hole P6 are successively connected in series, and the sixth state in which the first hole P1, the third hole P3, the second heat exchanger, the fifth hole P5 and the sixth hole p6 are connected successively in series. One of the third state, the fifth state and the sixth state is selected when the refrigerating cycle apparatus is in the first state. The fourth state is selected when the refrigeration cycle apparatus is in the second state.

According to the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100, the second flow path switching unit 10 switches between, in addition to the third state and the fourth state, the fifth state in which refrigerant is not supplied to the second outdoor heat exchanger 4, and the sixth state in which the refrigerant is not supplied to the first outdoor heat exchanger 3. The fifth state and the sixth state are implemented during the cooling operation with a relatively low air conditioning load (during the cooling operation of low charge).

When the outdoor air temperature is low during predominantly cooling operation, for example, the heat dissipation performance of each of the first outdoor heat exchanger 3 and the second outdoor heat exchanger 4 becomes excessive if each of they are operated as a condenser, which results in a reduction in condensing pressure compared to that during normal cooling operation. As a result, the saturation temperature of the gas phase refrigerant to be supplied to the indoor heat exchanger in the heating operation is lowered, resulting in the inability to obtain the required heating performance. Furthermore, if the compression ratio (condensing pressure/evaporation pressure) is kept at a low level due to the reduction of the condensing pressure, the reliability of the compressor decreases.

In such a case, in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100, the fifth state or the sixth state is implemented by the second flow path switching unit 10, which allows a reduction of the heat dissipation performance of the condenser, to suppress reducing the condensing pressure. As a result, in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100, the required heating performance can be obtained even in the case as described above. In addition, in this case, the reliability of the compressor 1 is guaranteed because the reduction of the condensing pressure in the refrigerating cycle apparatus 100 is suppressed.

In addition, when the first outdoor heat exchanger 3 and the second outdoor heat exchanger 4 have different capacities, the second flow path switching unit 10 can switch between the fifth state and the sixth state depending on the air conditioning load. . Thus, the variation in the condensing pressure is suppressed.

Second realization

A refrigeration cycle apparatus 101 according to a second embodiment is basically similar in configuration to that of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment, but differs in that the refrigerant circuit includes a second flow path switching unit 20 in instead of the second flow path switching unit 10, and further includes a third outdoor heat exchanger 5 as a fourth heat exchange unit.

The third outdoor heat exchanger 5 has a fifth distribution unit 5a as the fifth in/out flow portion and a sixth distribution unit 5b as the sixth in/out flow portion to/from which refrigerant flows in/out. out.

The second flow path switching unit 20 has a basically similar configuration to that of the second flow path switching unit 10, but differs in that it additionally has a seventh port P7 and an eighth port P8 through which the refrigerant flows in/out. The seventh port P7 is connected to the fifth distribution unit 5a. The eighth hole P8 is connected to the sixth distribution unit 5b.

The second flow path switching unit 10 switches between the third state, the fifth state, the sixth state, the fourth state and a seventh state.

In the third state shown in Figs. 8(A) and 9, the first hole P1, the second hole P2, the fourth hole P4, the third hole P3, the fifth hole P5 and the sixth hole P6 are successively connected in series, and the The first hole P1, the seventh hole P7, the eighth hole P8, the third hole P3, the fifth hole P5 and the sixth hole P6 are successively connected in series. That is, in the third state, the first outdoor heat exchanger 3 and the second outdoor heat exchanger 4 are connected in series, and the third outdoor heat exchanger 5 and the second outdoor heat exchanger 4 are connected in series. From a different point of view, in the third state, the first outdoor heat exchanger 3 and the third outdoor heat exchanger 5 are connected in parallel with the second outdoor heat exchanger 4.

As shown in Fig. 8(A), in the third state, in addition to the first flow path, the second flow path and the third flow path, the second flow path switching unit 20 further has a a sixth flow path connecting the first port P1 to the seventh port P7, and a seventh flow path connecting the eighth port P8 to the third port P3. In the third state, the first flow path and the sixth flow path are connected in parallel, and the second flow path and the seventh flow path are connected in parallel.

In the fourth state shown in Figs. 8(B) and 10, the fourth hole P4, the fifth hole P5 and the eighth hole P8 are connected in parallel with the sixth hole P6, and the second hole P2, the third hole P3 and the seventh hole P7 is connected in parallel with the first hole P1. The second flow path switching unit 20 has, in the fourth state, the first flow path, the fifth flow path, the sixth flow path, the third flow path, the fourth flow path and the seventh flow path. flow. The first flow path, the fifth flow path and the sixth flow path are connected to each other in parallel. The third flow path, the fourth flow path and the seventh flow path are connected to each other in parallel. That is, in the fourth state, the first outdoor heat exchanger 3, the second outdoor heat exchanger 4 and the third outdoor heat exchanger 5 are connected in parallel.

In the fifth state shown in Figures 8(C) and 11, a state similar to the fifth state shown in Figures 2(C) and 5 is implemented. The second flow path switching unit 20 has, in the fifth state , only the first flow path and the fourth flow path. In the sixth state shown in Figures 8(D) and 12, a state similar to the sixth state shown in Figures 2(D) and 6 is implemented. The second flow path switching unit 20 has, in the sixth state , only the fifth flow path and the third flow path. That is, in the fifth state, the refrigerant flowing through the first circuits is not supplied to the second outdoor heat exchanger 4 and the third outdoor heat exchanger 5, and the refrigerant is supplied only to the first outdoor heat exchanger 3 In the sixth state, the refrigerant flowing through the first circuits is not supplied to the first outdoor heat exchanger 3 and the third outdoor heat exchanger 5, and the refrigerant is supplied only to the second outdoor heat exchanger 4.

In the seventh state shown in Figs. 8(E) and 13, the first port P1, the seventh port P7, the eighth port P8 and the sixth port P6 are successively connected in series. The second flow path switching unit 20 has, in the seventh state, only the sixth flow path and an eighth flow path. That is, in the seventh state, the refrigerant flowing through the first circuits is not supplied to the first outdoor heat exchanger 3 and the second outdoor heat exchanger 4, and the refrigerant is supplied only to the third outdoor heat exchanger 5 The arrows shown in Figs. 8 (A) to (E) indicate the flow directions of the refrigerant in the respective states.

The seventh state is selected when the refrigeration cycling apparatus 100 is in the first state.

In addition to the first pipeline path, the second pipeline path, the third pipeline path, the fourth pipeline path, the fifth pipeline path, the first open-close valve 11, the second open-close valve 12, the third open-close valve 13, the fourth open-close valve 14, the fifth open-close valve 15, the sixth open-close valve 16 and the seventh open-close valve 17, the second switching unit The flow path 20 further includes a sixth pipe path, a seventh pipe path, an eighth on-off valve 18 and a ninth on-off valve 19.

The sixth pipe path connects the seventh hole P7 to the first pipe path. The seventh pipe path connects the eighth hole P8 to the first pipe path. The second pipe path, the third pipe path, the fourth pipe path, the fifth pipe path, the sixth pipe path and the seventh pipe path are connected to each other in parallel with respect to the first pipe path. A connection portion between the first pipe path and a seventh pipe path is defined as a fifth connection portion, and a connection portion between the first pipe path and an eighth pipe path is defined as a sixth connection portion.

The seventh pipe path is connected to a portion located between the first connection portion and the second connection portion in the first pipe path. The eighth pipe path is connected to a portion located between the third connection portion and the fourth connection portion in the first pipe path.

The eighth on-off valve 18 opens and closes the sixth pipe path. The ninth open-close valve 19 opens and closes the seventh pipe path. The fifth on-off valve 15 opens and closes a portion located between the fifth connection portion and the second connection portion on the first pipe path. The seventh on-off valve 17 opens and closes a portion located between the sixth connection portion and the fourth connection portion in the first pipe path.

As shown in Fig. 9, in the third state, the first open-close valve 11, the second open-close valve 12, the third open-close valve 13, the fourth open-close valve 14, the sixth open-close valve 16, the eighth open-close valve 18 and the ninth open-close valve 19 are open, while the fifth open-close valve 15 and the seventh open-close valve 17 are closed .

As shown in Fig. 10, in the fourth state, the first open-close valve 11, the second open-close valve 12, the third open-close valve 13, the fourth open-close valve 14, the fifth open-close valve 15, the seventh open-close valve 17, the eighth open-close valve 18 and the ninth open-close valve 19 are open, while the sixth open-close valve 16 is closed .

As shown in Fig. 11, in the fifth state, the first open-close valve 11, the third open-close valve 13 and the seventh open-close valve 17 are open, while the second open-close valve -close 12, the fourth open-close valve 14, the fifth open-close valve 15, the sixth open-close valve 16, the eighth open-close valve 18 and the ninth open-close valve 19 are closed .

As shown in Fig. 12, in the sixth state, the second open-close valve 12, the fourth open-close valve 14, the fifth open-close valve 15 and the seventh open-close valve 17 are open, while the first open-close valve 11, the third open-close valve 13 and the sixth open-close valve 16 are closed.

As shown in Fig. 13, in the seventh state, the seventh open-close valve 17, the eighth open-close valve 18 and the ninth open-close valve 19 are open, while the first open-close valve -close 11, the second open-close valve 12, the third open-close valve 13, the fourth open-close valve 14, the fifth open-close valve 15 and the sixth open-close valve 16 are closed .

The second flow path switching unit 10 is configured as a single unit. The second flow path switching unit 20 may be divided, for example, into a first block and a second block, and the sixth on-off valve 16 may be arranged between the first block and the second block. The first block has a portion of the first pipe path, the second pipe path, the third pipe path, the sixth pipe path, the first on-off valve 11, the second on-off valve 12, the fifth on-off valve 15 and eighth on-off valve 18. The second block has another portion of the first pipe path, the fourth pipe path, the fifth pipe path, the seventh pipe path, the fourth opening-closing valve 14, the fifth opening-closing valve 15, the seventh opening-closing valve 17 and the ninth opening-closing valve 19. The first block is arranged, in the first state and the second state, in the gas refrigerant side with respect to the first outdoor heat exchanger 3, the second outdoor heat exchanger 4 and the third outdoor heat exchanger 5. The second block is arranged, in the first state and the second state, on the gas refrigerant side. liquid refrigerant with respect to the first outdoor heat exchanger 3, the second outdoor heat exchanger 4 and the third outdoor heat exchanger 5.

Each of the first on-off valve 11, the second on-off valve 12, the fifth on-off valve 15 and the eighth on-off valve 18 included in the first block has a Cv value greater than the of each of the third open-close valve 13, the fourth open-close valve 14, the seventh open-close valve 17 and the ninth open-close valve 19 included in the second block, for example.

Each of the portion of the first pipe path, the second pipe path, the third pipe path and the sixth pipe path included in the first block has a larger internal diameter than each of the other portion of the first pipe path, fourth pipe path, fifth pipe path and seventh pipe path included in the second block, for example.

The second hole P2, the third hole P3, the fourth hole P4, the fifth hole P5, the seventh hole P7 and the eighth hole P8 are arranged in the same plane, for example. The first hole P1, the second hole ^p 2, the third hole P3, the fourth hole P4, the fifth hole P5, the sixth hole P6, the seventh hole P7 and the eighth hole P8 may be arranged in the same plane.

Now, the operation of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 101 is described.

cooling operation

When the refrigeration cycle apparatus 101 is in the cooling operation, the third state, the fifth state, the sixth state or the seventh state is implemented depending on the cooling load. The third state is selected when the cooling load is relatively high.

The third state is implemented during cool-only operation, for example. The fifth state, the sixth state, and the seventh state are implemented during cooling-predominant operation, for example.

As shown in Fig. 9, in the third state, the first outdoor heat exchanger 3 and the second outdoor heat exchanger 4 are connected in series in the first circuits, and the third outdoor heat exchanger 5 and the second outdoor heat exchanger 5 outdoor heat 4 are connected in series in the first circuits.

The gaseous single-phase refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 flows through the first port P1 into the first pipe path of the second flow path switching unit 10.

In the third state, the first open-close valve 11 and the eighth open-close valve 18 are open, while the fifth open-close valve 15 is closed. Therefore, a part of the gaseous single-phase refrigerant which has flowed into the first pipe path passes through the second pipe path and flows through the second hole P2 into the first distribution unit 3a, and exchanges heat. with the outdoor air and is condensed in the first outdoor heat exchanger 3. The liquid single-phase refrigerant or gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant condensed in the first outdoor heat exchanger 3 passes through the second distribution unit 3b, and flows through from the fourth hole P4 into the fourth pipe path. The remaining gaseous single-phase refrigerant which has flowed into the first pipe path passes through the sixth pipe path and flows through the seventh port P7 into the fifth distribution unit 5a, and exchanges heat with the outside air. and is condensed in the third outdoor heat exchanger 5. The liquid single-phase refrigerant or gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant condensed in the third outdoor heat exchanger 5 passes through the sixth distribution unit 5b, and flows through the eighth port P8 into the seventh pipe path.

With the third open-close valve 13, the ninth open-close valve 19, the sixth open-close valve 16 and the second open-close valve 12 open and the fifth open-close valve 15 and the seventh open valve - closing 17 closed, all the liquid single-phase refrigerant or gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant passes through the fourth pipe path, the first pipe path and the third pipe path and flows through the third hole P3 into the third pipe path. distribution unit 4a, and exchanges heat with the outdoor air and is condensed in the second outdoor heat exchanger 4. The liquid single-phase refrigerant condensed in the second outdoor heat exchanger 4 passes through the fourth distribution unit 4b, and flows through from the sixth hole P6 into the fifth pipe path. With the fourth on-off valve 14 open and the seventh on-off valve 17 closed, all of the liquid single-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the fifth pipe path passes through the fifth pipe path and the first pipe path. of pipe and flows out through the second hole p2. The liquid single-phase refrigerant which has flowed out through the second port P2 flows into the relay unit 50 via the second pipe.

As shown in Fig. 11, in the fifth state, refrigerant is not supplied to the second outdoor heat exchanger 4 and the third outdoor heat exchanger 5, and each of the second outdoor heat exchanger 4 and the third outdoor heat exchanger outdoor heat 5 does not serve as a condenser. In the fifth state, only the first outdoor heat exchanger 3 serves as a condenser. Specifically, the gaseous single-phase refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 flows through the first port P1 into the first pipe path of the second flow path switching unit 10. With the first on-off valve 11 open and the fifth opening-closing valve 15 and the eighth opening-closing valve 18 closed, all the gaseous single-phase refrigerant which has flowed into the first pipe path passes through the second pipe path and flows into the first unit distribution unit 3a, and exchanges heat with the outdoor air and is condensed in the first outdoor heat exchanger 3. The liquid single-phase refrigerant or gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant condensed in the first outdoor heat exchanger 3 passes through the second distribution unit distribution 3b, and flows through the fourth port P4 into the fourth pipe path. With the third open-close valve 13 and the seventh open-close valve 17 open and the fourth open-close valve 14, the sixth open-close valve 16 and the ninth open-close valve 19 closed, all the liquid single-phase refrigerant or gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant passes through the fourth pipe path and the first pipe path and flows out through the second port P2.

As shown in Fig. 12, in the sixth state, the refrigerant is not supplied to the first outdoor heat exchanger 3 and the third outdoor heat exchanger 5, and each of the first outdoor heat exchanger outdoor 3 and the third outdoor heat exchanger 5 does not serve as a condenser. In the fifth state, only the second outdoor heat exchanger 4 serves as a condenser. Specifically, the gaseous single-phase refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 flows through the first port P1 into the first pipe path of the second flow path switching unit 10. With the second on-off valve 12 and the fifth valve opening-closing valve 15 open and the first opening-closing valve 11, the sixth opening-closing valve 16 and the eighth opening-closing valve 18 closed, all the gaseous single-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the first path of The pipe passes through the third pipe path and flows into the third distribution unit 4a, and exchanges heat with the outdoor air and is condensed in the second outdoor heat exchanger 4. The liquid single-phase refrigerant or gaseous two-phase refrigerant- Condensed liquid in the second outdoor heat exchanger 4 passes through the fourth distribution unit 4b, and flows through the sixth port P6 into the fifth pipe path. With the fourth on-off valve 14 open and the sixth on-off valve 16, seventh on-off valve 17 and ninth on-off valve 19 closed, all single-phase liquid refrigerant or gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant passes through the fifth pipe path and the first pipe path and flows out through the second port P2.

As shown in Fig. 13, in the seventh state, refrigerant is not supplied to the first outdoor heat exchanger 3 and the second outdoor heat exchanger 4, and each of the first outdoor heat exchanger 3 and the second outdoor heat exchanger 4. outdoor heat 4 does not serve as a condenser. In the seventh state, only the third outdoor heat exchanger 5 serves as a condenser. Specifically, the gaseous single-phase refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 flows through the first port P1 into the first pipe path of the second flow path switching unit 10. With the eighth on-off valve 18 open and the first opening-closing valve 11 and the fifth opening-closing valve 15 closed, all the gaseous single-phase refrigerant which has flowed into the first pipe path passes through the sixth pipe path and flows into the fifth unit distribution unit 5a, and exchanges heat with the outdoor air and is condensed in the third outdoor heat exchanger 5. The liquid single-phase refrigerant or gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant condensed in the third outdoor heat exchanger 5 passes through the sixth distribution unit distribution 5b, and flows through the eighth port P8 into the seventh pipe path. With the seventh open-close valve 17 and the ninth open-close valve 19 open and the third open-close valve 13, the fourth open-close valve 14 and the sixth open-close valve 16 closed, all the liquid single-phase refrigerant or gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant passes through the fifth pipe path and the first pipe path and flows out through the second port P2.

heating operation

When the refrigeration cycle apparatus 101 is in the heating operation, the fourth state is implemented. As shown in Fig. 10, in the fourth state, the first outdoor heat exchanger 3, the second outdoor heat exchanger 4 and the third outdoor heat exchanger 5 are connected in parallel in the first circuits. Specifically, the gaseous single-phase refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 is condensed in at least one of the first indoor heat exchanger 6a and the second indoor heat exchanger 6b shown in Fig. 1, and is converted into a liquid single-phase refrigerant. The liquid single-phase refrigerant is decompressed in the first decompression unit 7a or the second decompression unit 7b, and is converted into a gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant. The gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant passes through the second pipe C2 and flows through the sixth port P6 into the first pipe path of the second flow path switching unit 10.

In the fourth state, the third open-close valve 13, the fourth open-close valve 14, the seventh open-close valve 17, and the ninth open-close valve 19 are open, while the sixth open-close valve -closing 16 is closed. Therefore, a part of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant which has flowed into the first pipe path passes through the third pipe path and flows into the second distribution unit 3b, exchanges heat with the outside air, and it is evaporated in the first outdoor heat exchanger 3, and converted into gaseous single-phase refrigerant. Another part of the gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant which has flowed into the first pipe path passes through the fourth pipe path and flows into the fourth distribution unit 4b, exchanges heat with the outside air and evaporates in the second. outdoor heat exchanger 4, and becomes gaseous single-phase refrigerant. The remaining gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant which has flowed into the first pipe path passes through the seventh pipe path and flows into the sixth distribution unit 5b, exchanges heat with the outside air and evaporates in the third outdoor heat exchanger 5, and is converted to gaseous single-phase refrigerant.

The gaseous single-phase refrigerant evaporated in the first outdoor heat exchanger 3 passes through the first distribution unit 3a, and flows through the second port P2 into the second pipe path. The gaseous single-phase refrigerant evaporated in the second outdoor heat exchanger 4 passes through the third distribution unit 4a, and flows through the third port P3 into the third pipe path. The gaseous single-phase refrigerant evaporated in the third outdoor heat exchanger 5 passes through the fifth distribution unit 5a, and flows through the seventh port P7 into the sixth path. of pipe. With the first on-off valve 11, the second on-off valve 12, the fifth on-off valve 15 and the eighth on-off valve 18 open and the sixth on-off valve 16 closed, all Gaseous single-phase refrigerant passes through the first pipe path and flows out through the first port P1. The gaseous single-phase refrigerant which has flowed out through the first port P1 is sucked through the suction port of the compressor 1.

functions and effects

According to the refrigeration cycle apparatus 101, which has a basically similar configuration to that of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100, effects similar to those of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 can be provided.

In addition, in the refrigerating cycle apparatus 101, in the third state, a part of the gaseous single-phase refrigerant discharged from the compressor 1 is condensed in the first outdoor heat exchanger 3 and converted into gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant of a reduced degree of dryness, and the remaining gaseous single-phase refrigerant is condensed in the third outdoor heat exchanger 5 and converted into gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant of a reduced degree of dryness. Then, the two-phase gas-liquid refrigerants are collected in the second flow path switching unit 20, and the refrigerant that has been collected is further condensed in the second outdoor heat exchanger 4 and becomes a liquid single-phase refrigerant.

Therefore, when the refrigerating cycle apparatus 101 and the refrigerating cycle apparatus 100 have an equal amount of sealed refrigerant, the refrigerant flowing through each of the first outdoor heat exchanger 3 and the third outdoor heat exchanger 3 5 when the refrigerating cycle apparatus 101 is in the third state has a lower flow rate than that of the refrigerant flowing through the first outdoor heat exchanger 3 when the refrigerating cycle apparatus 100 is in the third state. Therefore, in this case, the single-phase gas refrigerant or two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant flowing through each of the first outdoor heat exchanger 3 and the third outdoor heat exchanger 5 of the refrigerating cycle apparatus 101 has a velocity of flow rate less than that of the gaseous single-phase refrigerant or gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing through the first outdoor heat exchanger 3 of the refrigerating cycle apparatus 100. As a result, the gaseous single-phase refrigerant or gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing through each one of the first outdoor heat exchanger 3 and the third outdoor heat exchanger 5 when the refrigerating cycle apparatus 101 is in the third state has a lower pressure loss than that of the gaseous single-phase refrigerant or gas-liquid two-phase refrigerant flowing through through the first outdoor heat exchanger 3 when the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 is in the third state.

That is, in the refrigerating cycle apparatus 101, the flow rate of the liquid single-phase refrigerant flowing through the second outdoor heat exchanger 4 in the third state is raised as in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100, but, when At the same time, the flow rate of the two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant flowing through the first outdoor heat exchanger 3 and the third outdoor heat exchanger 5 in the third state is reduced in comparison with that of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100. Accordingly, the refrigeration cycle apparatus 101 has an even higher condensation heat transfer efficiency during the cooling operation than that of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 during the cooling operation.

Furthermore, the capacity of the first outdoor heat exchanger 3 and the third outdoor heat exchanger 5 in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 101 may be reduced in comparison with the capacity of the first outdoor heat exchanger 3 in the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100. Thus, the condensation heat transfer performance of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 101 during the cooling operation can be more accurately controlled depending on the cooling load than the condensation heat transfer performance of the refrigeration cycle apparatus 101 during the cooling operation. cooling 100 during cooling operation. The air conditioning load range over which the refrigeration cycle apparatus 101 can perform a cooling operation is wider than the air conditioning load range over which the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 You can perform a cooling operation.

Modifications

Although the refrigeration cycle apparatuses 100 and 101 each include a four-way valve 2 as the first flow path switching unit, this is not restrictive. The first flow path switching unit may have any configuration as long as it is capable of switching between the first state and the second state, and may be formed by a plurality of on-off valves, for example.

The refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 and 101 can further each have any configuration as long as it has the configuration described above. For example, the refrigeration cycle apparatus 100 and 101 may each include four or more outdoor heat exchangers. In that case, the third state can be implemented in which three or more outdoor heat exchangers are connected to each other in series by the second flow path switching units 10 and 20.

Although the refrigeration cycle apparatuses 100 and 101 each include a relay unit 50, this is not restrictive, and they may not include the relay unit 50. The refrigeration cycle apparatuses 100 and 101 may each further include a circuit of heat medium through which a heat medium circulates, and the third heat exchanger may be provided as a heat exchanger exchanging heat between the refrigerant flowing through the refrigerant circuit and the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circuit.

In the refrigerating cycle apparatuses 100 and 101, the first outdoor heat exchanger 3, the second outdoor heat exchanger 4 and the third outdoor heat exchanger 5 can each have any configuration as long as they are capable of exchanging heat between the refrigerant and a heat medium such as air. The first outdoor heat exchanger 3 and the second outdoor heat exchanger 4 may be configured as a single heat exchanger, for example. The first outdoor heat exchanger 3, the second outdoor heat exchanger 4 and the third outdoor heat exchanger 5 may be configured as a single heat exchanger, for example.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described as above, the embodiments described above can be modified in various ways. Furthermore, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims.

List of reference signs

1 compressor; 2 four-way valve (first flow path switching unit); 3 first outdoor heat exchanger; 3rd first distribution unit; 3b second distribution unit; 3c first heat exchange unit; 4 second outdoor heat exchanger; 4th third distribution unit; 4b fourth distribution unit; 4c second heat exchange unit; 5 third outdoor heat exchanger; 5th fifth distribution unit; 5b sixth distribution unit; 6a first indoor heat exchanger; 6b second indoor heat exchanger; 7th first decompression unit; 7b second decompression unit; 8th third decompression unit; 8b fourth decompression unit; 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d open-close valve; 10, 20 second flow path switching unit; 11 first opening-closing valve; 12 second opening-closing valve; 13 third open-close valve; 14 fourth opening-closing valve; 15 fifth open-close valve; 16 sixth open-close valve; 17 seventh opening-closing valve; 18 eighth valve open-close; 19 ninth opening-closing valve; 30 outdoor unit; 40th first indoor unit; 40b second indoor unit; 50 relay unit; 100, 101 refrigeration cycle apparatus.

Claims (1)

Refrigeration cycle apparatus (100, 101) comprising a refrigerant circuit through which refrigerant circulates, the refrigerant circuit including a compressor (1), a first flow path switching unit (2), a second flow path switching unit (10), a first heat exchanger (3), a second heat exchanger heat (4) and a third heat exchanger (6a), the first heat exchanger having a first in/out flow portion (3a) and a second in/out flow portion (3b) to/from which refrigerant flows in/out, the second heat exchanger having a third in/out flow portion (4a) and a fourth in/out flow portion (4b) to/from which refrigerant flows in/out, the first flow path switching unit being configured to switch between a first state and a second state, in the first state, at least one of the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger being configured to serve as a condenser and the third heat exchanger being configured to serve as an evaporator, in the second state, at least one of the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger being configured to serve as an evaporator and the third heat exchanger being configured to serve as a condenser, the second flow path switching unit having a first hole (P1), a second hole (P2), a third hole (P3), a fourth hole (P4), a fifth hole (P5) and a sixth hole (P6 ) through which the refrigerant flows in/out, the first port being connected to a discharge port of the compressor by means of the first flow path switching unit in the first state, and being connected to a suction port of the compressor by means of the first flow path switching unit. flow in the second state, the second orifice being connected to the first inflow/outflow portion, the third port being connected to the third inflow/outflow portion, the fourth port being connected to the second inflow/outflow portion, the fifth port being connected to the fourth inflow/outflow portion, the sixth port being connected to the third heat exchanger, the second flow path switching unit being configured to switch between a third state and a fourth state, in the third state, with the first port, the second port, the first heat exchanger, the fourth port, the third port, the second heat exchanger, the fifth port and the sixth port successively connected in series, and in the fourth state, the sixth hole, the fourth hole, the first heat exchanger, the second hole and the first hole being successively connected in series, and the sixth hole, the fifth hole, the second heat exchanger, the third being hole and the first hole successively connected in series, the second flow path switching unit being configured as a single unit. Refrigeration cycle apparatus (100, 101) according to claim 1, wherein the second flow path switching unit is configured to switch between the third estate, the fourth estate, a fifth state in which the first port, the second port, the first heat exchanger, the fourth port and the sixth port are successively connected in series, and a sixth state in which the first port, the third port, the second heat exchanger, the fifth port and the sixth port are successively connected in series. Refrigeration cycle apparatus (100, 101) according to claim 2, wherein one of the third state, the fifth state and the sixth state is selected when the refrigeration cycle apparatus is in the first state, and the fourth state is selected when the refrigeration cycle apparatus is in the second state. Refrigeration cycle apparatus (100, 101) according to claim 3, wherein The second flow path switching unit includes a first pipe path connecting the first port to the sixth port, and a second pipe path, a third pipe path, a fourth pipe path and a fifth pipe path that are connected to each other. successively connected to the first pipe path in a direction in which the first pipe path extends from the first hole to the sixth hole, the second pipe path connects the second hole to the first pipe path, the third pipe path connects the third hole to the first pipe path, the fourth pipe path connects the fourth hole to the first pipe path and the fifth pipe path connects the fifth hole to the first pipe path, The second flow path switching unit further includes a first on/off valve (11) configured to open and close the second pipeline path, a second on/off valve (12) configured to open and close the third pipeline path. , a third on-off valve (13) configured to open and close the fourth pipeline path, a fourth on-off valve (14) configured to open and close the fifth pipeline path, a fifth on-off valve (15) configured to open and close a portion located between a first connection portion connected to the second pipe path and a second connection portion connected to the third pipe path in the first pipe path, a sixth opening-valve closure (16) configured to open and close a portion located between the second connection portion and a third connection portion connected to the fourth pipe path in the first pipe path and a seventh on-close valve (17) configured to opening and closing a portion located between the third connection portion and a fourth connection portion connected to the fifth pipe path in the first pipe path, in the third state, the first open-close valve, the second open-close valve, the third open-close valve, the fourth open-close valve and the sixth open-close valve are open, while the fifth open-close valve and seventh open-close valve are closed, in the fourth state, the first open-close valve, the second open-close valve, the third open-close valve, the fourth open-close valve, the fifth open-close valve and the seventh open valve -close are open, while the sixth open-close valve is closed, in the fifth state, the first open-close valve, the third open-close valve, and the seventh open-close valve are open, while the second open-close valve, the fourth open-close valve, the fifth on-off valve and sixth on-off valve are closed, and in the sixth state, the second open-close valve, the fourth open-close valve, the fifth open-close valve, and the seventh open-close valve are open, while the first open-close valve, the third open-close valve and sixth open-close valve are closed. Refrigeration cycle apparatus (101) according to claim 4, wherein the refrigerant circuit also includes a fourth heat exchanger (5), the fourth heat exchanger has a fifth in/out flow portion (5a) and a sixth in/out flow portion (5b) to/from which refrigerant flows in/out, the second heat exchanger unit The flow path further has a seventh port (P7) and an eighth port (P8) through which the refrigerant flows in/out, the seventh orifice is connected to the fifth inflow/outflow portion, the eighth hole is connected to the sixth inflow/outflow portion, in the third state, additionally, the first port, the seventh port, the fourth heat exchanger, the eighth port, the third port, the second heat exchanger, the fifth port and the sixth port are successively connected in series, and in the fourth state, additionally, the sixth hole, the eighth hole, the fourth heat exchanger, the seventh hole and the first hole are successively connected in series. Refrigeration cycle apparatus (101) according to claim 5, wherein The second flow path switching unit is configured to switch between the third state, the fourth state, the fifth state, the sixth state and a seventh state in which the first hole, the seventh hole, the eighth hole and the sixth hole are successively connected in series. Refrigeration cycle apparatus (101) according to claim 6, wherein The second flow path switching unit further includes a seventh pipe path connecting the seventh port to the first pipe path, an eighth pipe path connecting the eighth port to the first pipe path, an eighth opening valve -closing (18) configured to open and close the seventh pipe path and a ninth opening-closing valve (19) configured to open and close the eighth pipe path, the seventh pipe path is connected to a portion located between the first connection portion and the second connection portion in the first pipe path, the eighth pipe path is connected to a portion located between the third connection portion and the fourth connection portion in the first pipe path, the fifth on-off valve is configured to open and close a portion located between a fifth connection portion connected to the seventh pipe path and the second connection portion on the first pipe path, the seventh on-off valve is configured to open and close a portion located between a sixth connection portion connected to the eighth pipe path and a fourth connection portion on the first pipe path, in the third state, the eighth open-close valve and the ninth open-close valve are also open, in the fifth state, the eighth open-close valve and the ninth open-close valve are additionally closed, in the sixth state, the eighth open-close valve and the ninth open-close valve are additionally closed, in the fourth state, the eighth open-close valve and the ninth open-close valve are also open, and in the seventh state, the seventh open-close valve, the eighth open-close valve, and the ninth open-close valve are open, while the first open-close valve, the second open-close valve, the third open-close valve, fourth open-close valve, fifth open-close valve and sixth open-close valve are closed. Refrigeration cycle apparatus (101) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first inlet/outlet flow portion is arranged on a gaseous refrigerant side of the first heat exchanger, the second inlet/outlet flow portion is arranged on a liquid refrigerant side of the first heat exchanger, the third inlet/outlet flow portion is arranged on a gaseous refrigerant side of the second heat exchanger, and the fourth in/out flow portion is arranged on a liquid refrigerant side of the second heat exchanger.